North Extension of Colborne Street Bike Lanes (Oxford Street East to Cheapside Street)

Background

The City of London is adding cycling infrastructure improvements to Colborne Street between Oxford Street East and Cheapside Street, with construction tentatively scheduled for spring of 2023. This work builds on the existing bike lanes on Colborne Street that extend from Horton Street East to Oxford Street East.

The proposed design would add painted bike lanes (one northbound and one southbound) from 75 metres north of Oxford Street East to 20 metres north of Cheapside Street, where cyclists and motorists currently share space in mixed traffic lanes. On-street parking will be restricted from Colborne Street to accommodate the new bike lanes.

The project design put forward to date works within the existing road width to provide a dedicated space for cyclists while avoiding disruptive and costly construction of road widening. New paint will be applied to the road surface to delineate two 3.3 m vehicle lanes and two curb-running dedicated cycling lanes (+/- 1.7 m wide). Signs will be added to restrict on-street parking. This updated road configuration is illustrated in the rendering below.

Above: Rendering of new road configuration on Colborne Street

What we heard

Thank you to everyone who took the time to give input to the City of London project team about the proposed changes to Colborne Street between Oxford Street East and Cheapside Street. Through conversations in person at a drop-in event hosted on September 14, emails, and comments received on this page, we have heard the following feedback:

On cycling facility type:

• We heard from many who expressed a desire to continue protection to the north
• Suggestions that asphalt bike lanes be added into the boulevard as an alternative design solution
• It was requested that at minimum protection be added up to St. James Street (from Oxford Street East)
• We heard from many who told us that painted bike lanes aren’t safer than the existing conditions
• We heard concern that painted bike lanes will encourage faster traffic with no parking on the street
• There were calls for continuity in the bike network consistent with what exists south of Oxford Street
• Some commented that painted bike lanes are the right solution for this section of Colborne Street
• We received the suggestion of making Colborne Street one-way for vehicles to allow for parking and protected curb-running bike lanes (Waterloo would also need to be one-way in the other direction)
• We were asked to explore other ways we can reduce speeds to make the corridor safer for everyone
• Comments highlighted that the street has more young riders because of demographics and nearby schools

On existing conditions:

• Actual speeds on the road are higher than the 40 km/h; therefore, the City shouldn’t use 40 km speed for the nomograph (a tool used to determine the type of cycling facility needed)
• Garbage and recycling trucks cause significant vehicle delays on Colborne Street south of Oxford Street where there are protected bike lanes
• We were asked about the data used to justify decision-making, and whether collision data was included
• Comment that the future growth in car volumes should be anticipated and factored in, as we’re right on the cusp with our current volumes of needing a higher level of infrastructure
• We observed many cyclists using the road rather than the sidewalk
• We heard that the intersection of Colborne Street and St. James Street creates confusion and many near misses. A 4-way stop was suggested
• Concerns that Colborne has too much happening on it: transit, cycling, cars, steam lines, etc.
• We heard concerns about the condition of the road on the west side of Colborne near Cheapside Street, where buses may be contributing to wear and tear
• Concerns were raised about buses - complaints that they are traveling too quickly, and that turning movements onto Colborne Street from Cheapside Street are very wide
• Concerns were raised about the steam line jeopardizing road safety and requiring frequent disruptive repairs

About on-street parking:

• Recognition that on-street parking isn’t a right, but that it is valued
• We received multiple inquiries regarding the possibility of paying extra to keep on-street parking
• Concerns about people with accessibility issues being able to receive care and paratransit if parking is removed
• Concerns about parking restriction impacts: with landscaping trucks, contractors, or delivery vehicles, family or friends visiting
• Many residences have single width driveways, which is challenging for households with multiple vehicles
• We received an inquiry as to whether the City could provide variance or exemption to allow for alternative parking arrangements on property (e.g., allow widening driveways onto lawns)
• We also heard from residents that do not care about on-street parking or it being removed/restricted

What's next?

The project team is in the process of reviewing the designs with consideration of the feedback collected through our consultation. Once a final design has been reached, it will be communicated through letters to property owners, residents and businesses, and through email communications, as well as on this page. If you wish to receive email updates on the project, be sure to complete the contact form at the bottom of this page. We'll be making this update in early winter, with a goal of being construction ready by spring of 2023.

View presentation of the proposed design

You are invited to view a pre-recorded presentation of the final design and pre-construction information.

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